Hello Magic: the Gathering players. Today we want to make sure that everyone is up to speed on all the new mechanics in Gatecrash, the second set in the Return to Ravnica block, to be released on February 1st, 2013. Although we have only a fraction of the new cards previewed so far, the set is looking great. Here's a brief orientation of the five Gatecrash guilds and their respective keyword or ability word. Look for further updates on MTG Mint Card as we continually add new Gatecrash cards available for pre-order.

Boros (red / white), mechanic 'Battalion'. This ability found on creature spells allows the stated ability to trigger when that and two other creatures attack together. Firemane Avenger is a 3/3 flier which can ping your opponent or their creatures for three life while gaining you three life - that is - as long as you attack with this angel and two other creatures.

Dimir (blue / black), mechanic 'Cipher'. Whenever you successfully cast a spell with Cipher, you exile that spell 'encoding' a creature you control. Whenever that encoded creature deals combat damage to a player, you then can cast a copy of that Cipher spell again for free. Call of the Nightwing is a 4-cmc sorcery allowing you to generate a 1/1 blue and black Horror creature token with flying giving you another chance for more tokens should your encoded creature land damage to your opponent.

Gruul (red / green), mechanic 'Bloodrush'. Creature spells with the Bloodrush activated ability allows you to pay a mana cost then discard that card to provide a boost to an attacking creature you control. Viashino Shanktail is a 3/1 creature with First strike for four mana. Should you choose to pay 2 and a red to discard this creature, you can provide a pump of +3/+1 and first strike to an attacking creature you control.

Orzhov (white / black), mechanic 'Extort'. Whenever you cast a spell, extort abilities of cards you control will with 'Extort' trigger allowing you to pay either a white or a black mana to have your opponent loose one life while you gain one life. Crypt Ghast is a 2/2 black creature spirit with flying with the exotort mechanic which also provides an solid ability to generate an additional black mana whenever you tap a swamp for mana.

Simic (blue / green), mechanic 'Evolve'. This triggered ability allows a creature to become larger with a +1/+1 counter whenever another creature with a greater power or toughness enters the battlefield under your control. Experiment One is a 1/1 Human Ooze creature with Evolve. Any other creatures you play with a greater power or toughness will grow Experiment One. You can also remove two +1/+1 counters to regenerate your cool Simic experiment.

First up -Selesnya Charm. This Return to Ravnica Uncommon is the backbone and swiss knife of today's green / white aggro decks. This instant spell will set your game table army up for an alpha-strike with trample for the win. Alternatively, you could choose to spot-remove an opponents fatty of power 5 or great and if you are really in a bind, drop a chump blocker.